The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (11)

“A bet?”

Hendris frowned at Arteon’s sudden words.

However, Arteon spoke without hesitation.

“I just want to conduct some simple tactical practice. If we just do it normally, the soldiers won’t have any motivation, so I think it would be good to wager something simple.”

“Speak specifically.”

At those words, Arteon smiled slightly.

This was exactly what made 4th Platoon leader Hendris such a great advantage.

‘He never lets his emotions affect how he treats his subordinates.’

He must be under considerable stress since they had to move to the 1st Defense Line soon.

Yet wasn’t he ‘responding’ first to his subordinate’s absurd request?

In his past life, most of the superiors Arteon had served under would have just told him to get lost in this situation.

Arteon said.

“I’d like to have a mini-game where our squad members defend against attacks from the other squad members. I’ll wager all the meat from our supplies.”

“You want to bet the meat from our supplies.”

Food was quite precious supplies in the Northern Region. Among them, meat was especially valuable.

“I request that you personally referee, Platoon Leader.”

Actually, it didn’t matter if he didn’t.

The most important thing was for the squad members’ experience.

‘If they just get thoroughly beaten up, their skills will inevitably improve.’

It might be somewhat inefficient, but in the current situation where they didn’t even have the basics down…

‘This is the fastest method.’

Besides, didn’t they have little time left?

Arteon quietly waited for Hendris’s answer.

“So squads 1, 2, and 3 attack, and only the 4th Squad defends?”

“That’s correct.”

“I’ll inform the other squad leaders and let you know. Go back and wait.”

“Understood.”

A smile formed on Arteon’s lips as he turned around.

After all, the Punishment Unit was a group of nothing but scoundrels.

Moreover, the 4th Squad was quite hated by the other squads.

Because they were scoundrels among scoundrels, they had caused quite a lot of trouble within the platoon.

But there was an opportunity to thoroughly beat up those guys?

‘They absolutely won’t let this chance slip by.’

Returning to the barracks, Arteon immediately assembled his unit members.

And…

“Whaaaaat?!”

“S-Squad Leader, is that really true?”

Graphil and Raphelson asked, unable to hide their surprised expressions.

And…

“Hehehe, we can just beat them up while defending, right? Squad Leader! Doesn’t this mean we can legally smash those bastards’ faces?”

There were those like Bert who were pleased.

“Being able to do it like real combat training could be good experience.”

There were those like Raymen who analyzed the situation coolly.

And…

“Seems like a pointless endeavor.”

There were even those like Jalbarog who viewed the situation pessimistically.

But Jalbarog went a step further and said to Arteon.

“Squad Leader, do you really think we can survive? Don’t you know what kind of place the 1st Defense Line is?”

Had his obedient compliance with orders up until now been building up?

Jalbarog kicked aside the shield next to him and said.

“Shit, we’re going to die the day after tomorrow, so what the hell are we all doing this for?”

His pent-up complaints burst out.

The atmosphere in the barracks instantly became hostile, and the squad members glanced at Arteon.

By temperament, they wanted to just beat down Jalbarog, but they hesitated, wondering if they’d get scolded by Arteon if they stepped forward.

Arteon looked at Bert and chuckled.

‘That short-tempered guy knows how to control himself.’

There was change.

Positive change.

Of course, there would be complaints arising in the process.

“I told you to come at me anytime if you had complaints…”

But simply suppressing things like this wouldn’t solve anything.

Arteon looked at his squad members and said.

“Everyone arm yourselves and follow me to the training ground.”

“Ah… shit.”

Bert cursed in displeasure.

They had just finished training and were resting, but weren’t they being dragged back to the training ground because of Jalbarog alone?

In the hostile atmosphere, Arteon looked at his squad members at the training ground.

Everyone was watching his mood.

To some extent it was a good sign, but on the other hand, it was also a bad sign.

‘At this point…’

He needed to firmly establish the purpose and motivation for training.

“It’s been a week since we started this nonsense called Combined Tactics.”

With Arteon’s words, the guys held their breath and listened intently.

Jalbarog was still glaring at Arteon with hostility,

“Honestly, this one week has probably only increased your chances of survival by about 1%.”

But Arteon paid no mind and continued speaking.

This barren Northern Region.

Especially the desperately fierce battles at the 1st Defense Line – most would die without deadly resolve and skill.

Arteon said to Jalbarog and the other squad members.

“Think about why you’re here. Why did you end up in this place?”

“…”

“That is…”

Everyone knew the reason.

These guys had committed serious crimes and could be killed without consequence.

They were simply sent here to be used as meat shields on the battlefield before being killed.

“You were originally sent here to die. You’ve just been lucky enough to survive a few times.”

None of them had survived through their own skill.

Just through their comrades’ deaths, through enemy mistakes.

They were alive for such reasons, and everyone knew they could die at any moment.

That’s why…

‘I have no choice but to show them clearly.’

Arteon said to Bert.

“Bert, step forward.”

“…Me?”

Bert said in surprise.

Why was he suddenly calling him?

But at Arteon’s words, Bert swallowed hard and walked forward.

Arteon said.

“Bert, let’s spar.”

“What?!”

Toward Bert who was startled.

“If you can last 1 minute against me, I’ll ask the supply officer to triple your meat rations for the next 3 days.”

“T-triple?!”

Bert’s eyes flashed.

Bert was larger in build compared to others.

Naturally, he needed more food too.

But due to the nature of the unit, food was always scarce, and he had never once eaten his fill.

But now…

“Meat!”

His eyes rolled back in a different sense.

Bert snorted and said to Arteon.

“1 minute. You definitely promised!”

“I promise.”

Arteon picked up his rod.

The moment Bert lifted his two axes.

Swoosh!

Arteon charged toward Bert.

Whoosh!

The swung rod aimed for his thigh.

Quite fast speed.

Bert was startled by Arteon’s attack and pulled his body back.

“Ugh!”

Having been hit once before, Bert knew.

The moment he got hit even once, he’d be done for.

Thwack! Swoosh! Swish!

Arteon’s attacks continued in succession.

Each time, Bert screamed and ran backward.

Whoosh!

But he didn’t allow a single direct hit.

However…

Thud!

Bert had reached the wall of the Training Ground.

The situation of having nowhere left to run was desperate.

“Bert! 15 seconds left!”

Bert burned with fighting spirit at Graphil’s shout and raised his axe. And…

“Since it’s come to this, I might as well die trying!”

Thump!

With a strong charge, Bert, who had only been running away, rushed toward Arteon.

Much faster speed than before.

The axe striking down in a straight line carried enough force to really kill Arteon.

However…

Clang!

Arteon lightly struck the side of the axe with his rod, changing its path.

And the moment Bert’s balance wavered.

“Side.”

Swoosh!

He swung his rod toward Bert’s side without hesitation.

But…

Clang!

“…!”

“He blocked it?!”

Even Bert himself, who had blocked Arteon’s attack, opened his eyes in surprise.

“What are you surprised about?”

Thwack!

The moment he hesitated, Arteon struck Bert’s crown with his rod.

“Argh!”

Bert screamed with a sound like his head was splitting. But then.

“T-time! Time’s up!”

Graphil, who had been checking the time, shouted loudly.

Arteon, who had been swinging his rod, stopped and looked at Bert.

Though he had allowed one hit.

“Hah… did I really last through it?”

At the sight of him speaking with a grin, Arteon nodded.

“You won.”

Arteon soon headed toward where the squad members were. And asked.

“Anyone who thinks I went easy on Bert in that sparring match just now, raise your hand.”

“…”

“It didn’t seem like… you went easy.”

Not a single person raised their hand.

It was natural.

He had sparred at a similar level to when he first disciplined Bert.

Of course, if he had seriously tried to catch him, it would have ended in 10 seconds, not 1 minute.

But what was important was.

“How does it look? Does it seem like you’ve just been fooling around for a week?”

That they had changed.

“Well, I thought I might be able to endure one or two attacks, but I didn’t know I could block them.”

Bert blocking Arteon’s attack with his axe at the end.

That was quite meaningful.

“It’s only been a week.”

During that week, such changes had occurred in Bert.

“You’re all already changing without knowing it.”

The same was true for them.

At Arteon’s words, they looked at each other with foolish expressions.

“Really… are we changing?”

Graphil asked.

Arteon answered.

“Until a week ago, you had never even shot a bow. But today, from how many meters did you hit the target?”

“About… 30 meters, I think.”

By skilled archer standards, it would be far from adequate. But…

“Right, now you have the ability to kill all enemies within 30 meters. And you say nothing’s changed?”

Of course, he couldn’t say their stamina had greatly increased in just a week.

That required physical time.

But the week of training had balanced them and given them a sense for combat.

Bert blocking his attack was exactly that.

Getting beaten up every day while learning, his body had no choice but to move instinctively.

“The battlefield is even more fierce than this. But we must do it. Tomorrow’s inter-squad sparring will raise that probability by about 0.1%.”

If he hadn’t taken them on at all.

‘I wouldn’t have cared whether they lived or died…’

If Arteon decided to do something, he would do it properly.

Arteon glanced at the squad members, then fixed his gaze on Jalbarog.

“Jalbarog.”

“…Yes, Squad Leader.”

“Do you still think training is unnecessary?”

“…No. My thinking was short-sighted.”

“What about the others?”

“W-We also think there have been many changes!”

“We’ll work harder from now on!”

The squad members shouted their responses loudly.

The gloomy atmosphere was instantly reversed.

“With that in mind, in tomorrow’s sparring match, we will…”

Arteon said with a sly smile.

“Completely devour all the other squads. Understood?”

“Yes! Understood!”

For the first time, the unified response of the 4th Squad Members echoed loudly throughout the entire Training Ground.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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